Manhattan Bike Shops?

[maillotpois]

Pink - I am so sorry for your family's loss. Big hugs to both of you.

I cannot imagine a more magical place to spend Christmas than NYC. You and your daughter are going to have a wonderful time. Be sure to have some hot roasted chestnuts out on the street and plan to spend plenty of time wandering through Macy's and Bloomingdales and all the decorated shops. FAO Schwartz would also be wonderful at Christmastime.

Oh - and ice skate at Rockefeller Center!

Have a marvelous time planning!

[nikkoblu2]

Pink...I'm so sorry to hear of the loss you and your daughter are experiencing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Even though I'm only across the river I don't do any cycling in the Big Apple. But, I just wanted to remind you to swing by Rockefeller Center and see the gorgeous Christmas tree and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Maybe a little hot chocolate...mmm.

Have a wonderful Christmas

[ccnyc]

I'm so sorry for your loss. And happy to hear that you and DD are doing okay.

Another bike shop to check out is http://signaturecycles.com/document/111633
Lots of bling. Lots of fancy clothing including women's.
It's literally right around the corner from Toga Bikes.

[pinkbikes]

Oh - I am in so much trouble!

I just started looking a the websites for all these lovely bike shops you've told me about. And the bargains to be had (compared to prices out here) are wonderful! I am starting to wonder how I can fit a bike into my suitcase. Or even two?

Please tell me that the prices quoted are exclusive of taxes and that the taxes are HUGE! Maybe then I will blink first.

[crazycanuck]

Hey PB, how much tax will you be charged when you fly back into Australia with say..a couple of new bikes? Or is that tax only charged when you have said item sent to you..???

Just a thought .

[pinkbikes]

My mind has gone there already CC!

Well there would be duties, but I would be able to use my duty free threshold (and DD's) which you only get access to for goods carried through customs (not for stuff mailed) and then I'd only have to pay duty on the remainder! Be still my heart!

Actually the website says if you exceed the threshold you have to pay duty on the lot, but I've never seen that happen if you are honest and tell them everything you have.

[Catrin]

My mind has gone there already CC!

Well there would be duties, but I would be able to use my duty free threshold (and DD's) which you only get access to for goods carried through customs (not for stuff mailed) and then I'd only have to pay duty on the remainder! Be still my heart!

Actually the website says if you exceed the threshold you have to pay duty on the lot, but I've never seen that happen if you are honest and tell them everything you have.

Sweet! You will have fun shopping

[crazycanuck]

hey PBS..hope your trip's going well & you're spending up a storm w the Aus-US exchange rate at the moment

The weather in QLD at the moment is blah

Take care & have a safe journey home!

[redrhodie]

Central Park had its sixth highest snowfall total ever yesterday! NY is magical in the snow, but I suppose a lot of things are closed. I hope you're having fun, pink.

[pinkbikes]

Hi CC and Red (and all)

Well DD and I are happy as clams in New York and I think we are single-handedly spending enough to end any claims of recession, GFC etc.

We spent the first few days in Upper West Side at the Excelsior so that we would be close to the Museum of Natural History (spent a whole day there) and Central Park.

And yes (to those with whom I share the techno nerd geek gene) I did bring my Garmin running watch just so I could go for a run in Central Park and watch it talk to the satellites and reset itself to NY time and record a run in Central Park! Of course it was a really crappy run since I forgot to take ventolin and despite wearing two layers of clothing I didn't cover my ears and they were COLD!!!! But it was in Central Park and I ran past the Guggenheim!!!

We made a side trip down to Washington DC and looked at Smithsonians and monuments. I sat next to the most delightful old geezer on the train back - 80-something and a retired writer from the Washington Post with many entertaining stories to tell.

We have spent the rest of the time wandering the streets of New York, eating at NY Delis, shopping up a storm and being snowbound in our hotel room! Most of our shopping has, in the time-honoured fashion, been shoes! Shoes, shoes, shoes! We really pay so much for shoes in Oz that I kind of go nuts anytime I visit the States and come home with truckloads of them. So far I have a pair of nice black Nine West boots (to replace the ones I bought before I got pregnant with DD 13 years ago) two pairs of runners (because they are half the price of at home) a pair of converse (because they are red) and a nice pair of Sidi MTB shoes (because I've been lusting after them for ages and they were on sale). And that's just mine - haven't started on DD's!

And then there is the usual collection of IHeartNY tshirts, trinkets and so forth for friends and family, spoils from M&M World and a really cute "build your own MuppetWhatNot" from FAO Schwarz.

And, lest we think this is hijacking the cycling thread, I have visited some of the excellent cycling shops you all offered up! So far I have been to Chelsea Bicycles (it is right across the road from our hotel - really nice people) Gotham Cycles (was a beastly day but a really nice shop) AdelineAdeline (took a few tries due to the weather but have several LadyBug bells for gifts - very retro and cool) and Paragon Sports (walked through the snow to get there and could have stayed there all day if I had not been worried about not making it back - but one pair of Sidis and a pair of toe covers and a running fuel belt later...). Tomorrow I am hoping to catch the rest up on West Avenue and Cycle Renaissance on Columbus.

All in all, it is a really good thing that we left the land of Oz with only 12kg and 18kg in our suitcases, and an extra bag stashed inside one of them. I do not look forward to packing for the trip home!

Thanks to eveybody for all the wonderful suggestions for bike shopping! And of course I am sitting here at the hotel expecting my Fedex package from TE anytime now, with my new Detours High Tail Bike Bag!